Pulliam, Luke doing time in 'Madea' caper

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Little Rudy from "The Cosby Show" all grown up and playing a hooker? Yes indeed, thanks to Tyler Perry.

Keshia Knight Pulliam will star as an imprisoned prostitute in "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail." Derek Luke also stars, along with Tamela Mann and David Mann.

The Lionsgate comedy centers on Madea (Perry), whose penchant for trouble-making lands her behind bars. She comes to the rescue of Candy (Pulliam), a fellow inmate preyed upon by a large woman named Big Sal. Luke is on track to play Joshua, an attorney who has a past with Candy.

Writer-director Perry, who based the film on his play, is producing the project with Reuben Cannon as well as playing multiple roles. He starred in a 2006 DVD presentation of the play. Filming is set to begin in mid-May in Atlanta, with a tentative early 2009 release planned.

Pulliam recently appeared in Perry's TBS series "House of Payne" and is launching an Atlanta-based production company for film and television projects that she has in development.

Luke, who made his screen debut as the title character in "Antwone Fisher," played opposite Robert Redford in "Lions for Lambs."

Pulliam is repped by Michael Greene & Associates. Luke is repped by WMA and Untitled Entertainment.